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Last Saturday night there was a fatal crash on the I-64 in St. Louis County. A driver was killed after being ejected from his vehicle. The Missouri State Police said that the driver was driving much too fast for the rainy road conditions at the time (which was about 8:15pm). Speeding was likely the factor that contributed to him losing control of his vehicle and spinning out in front of a big rig.
When police and emergency responders arrived at the scene, they found the man’s truck overturned and the driver’s body close by. He was pronounced dead at the scene and police seem to think, upon initial investigation, that the driver was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the impact. There is no indication that the driver of the commercial truck sustained any injuries, but two other individuals sustained injuries when the vehicle rolled over, a 25-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man.
Rollover accidents lead to approximately 10,000 deaths a year. Although they are one of the more rare types of car accidents, they are also one of the most deadly. In fact, rollover accidents are responsible for about as many traffic deaths as drunk driving accidents. A majority of rollover vehicle accidents are single vehicle accidents, but this one involved another vehicle- the semi-truck.
In the event of adverse weather conditions, like rain and slick roads, drivers should take all the necessary precautions for safety. For example, drivers must reduce their speed, sometimes significantly. Drivers must use their headlights when it is raining and after the sun has gone down. Drivers may have to use their fog lights in the event of heavy fog. Above all, wearing a seatbelt and wearing it properly is an absolute necessity.
If you are caught driving without a seatbelt, you will likely be issued a traffic citation. It is against the law to operate a vehicle or ride as a passenger in a vehicle without a proper seatbelt. The driver’s life likely would have been spared if he was wearing one. Unfortunately, liability for this accident will likely be placed on the driver rather than on the city for improper road maintenance or on the driver of the truck.
Although it is not required by law to reduce your speed while driving in the rain, it is against the law to speed under any circumstance. Rain, snow and other adverse weather conditions significantly increase the risk of getting into an accident. If you were involved in an accident caused by someone who was driving recklessly in bad weather conditions, consider speaking with a St. Louis car accident lawyer at our firm. Goldblatt & Singer can fight to see that you recover full compensation.